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Framework Agreement for DNA, Drug and Alcohol Testing Services

City & County of Swansea

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

20 Oct 2026 at 16:43

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

28 Aug 2026 at 13:03

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

City & County of Swansea is seeking providers for accredited DNA, drug and alcohol testing services to support safeguarding, social care, legal proceedings and related statutory functions. The work is divided into two lots: drug and alcohol testing, and DNA testing. Depending on the lot, services include sample collection, identity verification for DNA testing, chain-of-custody management, laboratory analysis, interpretation and reporting of results, and expert-witness support. The services are to be delivered in Swansea. The requirement is for medical laboratory testing services, with providers expected to supply the appropriate testing and reporting service for the lot or lots they bid for.

Swansea Council invited tenders through an open procedure for a framework agreement with up to three providers per lot; suppliers may bid for either or both lots. The enquiry deadline was 9 November 2026 at 12:00, and tenders were due by 16 November 2026 at 12:00. The planned award decision date was 2 December 2026. Each lot has an estimated value of £350,000 excluding VAT (£420,000 including VAT); these are separate lot values. The contract period is 11 January 2027 to 10 January 2032, with an option to extend by up to 24 months. For each lot, quality carries 75% of the evaluation weighting and price 25%. Framework call-offs may be made by direct award or mini-competition.

The opportunity is suited to specialist laboratories and testing providers with the relevant accreditation and the operational capability to manage sample collection, secure chain of custody, laboratory analysis and clear, professional results reporting. Drug and alcohol providers should be able to interpret results and provide expert-witness support when required. DNA providers also need robust identity-verification procedures and the ability to provide expert-witness support. Suppliers need sufficient capacity to support safeguarding, social care and legal requirements across Swansea, with service delivery covering the full process from collection through reporting. Small and medium-sized businesses and voluntary, community and social enterprises are considered suitable for both lots. Bidders can focus on one service area or offer both, and successful providers may receive work through direct awards or competitions among framework suppliers.»}

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Framework Agreement for DNA, Drug and Alcohol Testing Services

Notice Description

Swansea Council is seeking to establish a Framework Agreement for the provision of accredited testing services to support safeguarding, social care, legal proceedings and associated statutory functions. The Framework will comprise two Lots: Lot 1 Drug and Alcohol Testing Services Lot 2 DNA Testing Services

Lot Information

Drug and Alcohol Testing Services

The Framework Providers will deliver drug and alcohol testing services, including: - Sample collection. - Chain of custody management. - Laboratory analysis. - Interpretation of results. - Preparation of professional reports. - Expert witness support where required.

Renewal: Option to extend for up to 24 months

DNA Testing Services

Sample collection. Identity verification. Chain of custody management. Laboratory analysis. Reporting of results. Expert witness support.

Renewal: Option to extend up to 24 months

Planning Information

Swansea Council has created an Market Engagement Questionnaire (MEQ) which seeks the views and opinions of those organisations that may be interested in delivering the services. The Market Engagement Questionnaire (MEQ) can be completed using the following Microsoft Forms Link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/ZbGAni6Lhx Please copy and paste the above link into your internet search bar to access (as this notice does not recognise embedded links) Please submit your completed MEQ by no later than 12:00 noon on the 11th September 2026. Participation in this engagement exercise is not a mandatory requirement for participating in any potential future procurement; however, responses received will assist to inform Swansea Council as to the level of interest from the market and will be used to evidence a decision as to how to undertake a competitive procurement. This notice is not a call for competition. Swansea Council reserves the right to withdraw from undertaking a tender process at any point.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06ee82
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/099183-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85145000 - Services provided by medical laboratories

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£700,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£700,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Oct 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
16 Nov 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
6 Nov 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
11 Jan 2027 - 10 Jan 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
City & County of Swansea
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SWANSEA
Postcode
SA1 3SN
Postcode Area
Swansea
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL4 Mid and South West Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL43 Swansea
Delivery Location
TLL18 Swansea
Local Authority
Swansea
Electoral Ward
Waterfront
Westminster Constituency
Swansea West

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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